Turnbuckle wrench



` Oct. 9, 1945. v. PRICE TURNBCKLE wRENH Filed Feb; 1.19411` sheets-sheet 1*:

Inventar /Cof* PHC@ `By @wb and Patented Oct. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TURNBUCKLE WRENCH Victor Price, Akron, Ohio Application February 1, 1944, Serial No. 520,662

1 Claim.

My invention relates y to improvements in ratchet-type wrenches for use in turning turnbuckles, the principal object in view being to provide a simply constructed, inexpensive and easily applied wrench for use in connection with turnbuckles of the type having a center tool opening therein.

Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, al1 of which, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to' the drawings accompanyingand forming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my irnproved wrench, lin its preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 is a view in edge elevation,

Figure 3 is a similar View partly in longitudinal section, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the handle,

.Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the ratchet band, and

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of said band.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, my improved wrench, as illustrated, comprises a ratchet wheel I formed in matinghalf-sectio'ns 2 designed to fit around a turnbuckle 3, it being understood that such wheels will be provided in different sizes for diierent sizes of turnbuckles. A pair of radial, diametrically opposite pins 4 are provided in said sections, respectively, in the centers thereof to extend inwardly therefrom and t in the usual transverse opening, or bore, 5 provided in such turnbuckles for the insertion of a tool therein. A pair of fiat links 6 upon opposite sides of the wheel I, respectively, with pins 1 extending therethrough and through the sections 2 hingedly connect the sections 2 together at one side of the axis of the wheel for opening and closing of the sections to apply and detach the Wheel. On the opposite side of said axis, a pair of spring catches 8 secured to one section 2, as at 9, upon opposite sides thereof, are adapted for snap action engagement with a pair of depressions, as at I0, in the opposite sides of the other section 2 to lock said sections closed.

For turning the wheel I, a resilient, ratchet band II, and a nat bar-like handle I2 are provided, the band being designed to fit loosely around the wheel I for rotation about the same. The handle I2 is providedY with a concave, widened end I3 forming a pair of edge ears I4, I5 at opposite corners of said end to one of which,rfor instance I5, one end of the band II is pivoted by means 0f a pair of hinge lugs I6 formed on said end and inserted in' a concave socket I'I in the handle I2, said lugs I6 straddling a lug I8 on the handle and being secured to the lug I8 by a pintle I9. The other end of the band II is provided with a single ratchet tooth 20 arranged to be engaged by the other ear I4 when the handle I2 is swung in a direction to rotate the Wheel, and whereby said tooth is held in the teethof the wheel I during operation of the wrench to turn a turnbuckle. 'Ihe ear I5 forms a stop behind the pivot of the band II coacting with the band when the handle I2 is swung reversely to thereby limit such swinging thereof relative to the band I I so that the latter may be rotated around vthe Wheel I to advance the ratchet tooth 20 over the teeth of said Wheel.

Inwardly projecting edge lugs 2I are provided on the band II, on one edge thereof, to prevent the same from slipping sidewise of the wheel I, or downwardly, if the turnbuckle is arranged in vertical position.

In the use and operation of the described Wrench, the wheel I is first applied, in the manner already set forth, with the ratchet band detached therefrom and the band is then applied sidewise over the wheel. As will be clear, swinging of the handle in one direction, clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, will engage the ear I4 with the ratchet tooth 20 to press the same into a tooth of the wheel I and then rotate or Arevolve the band I I, thus imparting similar movement to the wheel I to turn the turnbuckle 3. Swinging of the handle I2 in the opposite direction will rotate or revolve the band II about the wheel I to advance the ratchet tooth 20 into another tooth of said wheel. k

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is: 1

A wrench for use on turnbuckles of the type having a transverse tool-receiving opening therein comprising a ratchet wheel including a pair of mating half-sections adapted to be opposed upon opposite sides of the turnbuckle in surrounding relation thereto, means to secure said sections together against relative separation, key pins in said sections for insertion in said openhandle, and a resilient band of annular form partly surrounding the Wheel with one end connected to said handle and the other end thereof provided With a ratchet tooth for engaging the teeth of the Wheel, said band being removable edgewise from said wheel, said means comprising hinges on one side of the axis of the wheel, and latches on the other side of said axis, said toothed ing to lock the sections to the turnbuckle, a

end of the band being interposed between one end of the handle and said Wheel, and the connected end of the band being hinged to said end of the handle whereby said handle may be swung in one direction to retain the toothed end of the band engaged with the teeth of said Wheel and simultaneously rotate the wheel.

VICTOR PRICE. 

